Clara Ines Cardulla

Clara Ines Cardulla (nee Barrera Téllez), most recently of Rochester, NY and previously a 20+ year resident of Sun City Center FL, passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2023, after a brief illness. Clara was at home, surrounded by family who were guided by the compassionate care of the URMC Hospice Team. Just shy of her 86th birthday, Clara was active, healthy and able to travel independently in May, to Bogotá, Colombia to see her sister, nieces and nephews - a visit Clara cherished.

Clara was born on July 24, 1937 in Chiquinquirá, Colombia, South America, to Luis Francisco Barrera and Gilma (nee Téllez). One of five children, Clara grew up in Colombia and Argentina. Upon graduation from high school, Clara was hired as a stewardess for Pan Am airlines to fly the South American routes to Miami, FL. Later she became a nanny in Miami where she met her future husband, Anthony V. Cardulla (Tony). Clara who had never seen snow, bravely moved with Tony to his hometown of Victor, NY where she was greeted by a blizzard on her wedding day; a fact that always made her laugh. Tony’s family welcomed Clara with open arms and their relationships moved beyond “in-laws” to deep, lifelong friendships.

Clara and Tony had two children who they raised in Bloomfield and later Victor. Clara and Tony enjoyed small town living, Canandaigua Lake, and travel with their family. Clara adored her three granddaughters and simply put, was a wonderful grandmother. When they were together, the girls’ antics always reduced Clara to uncontrollable giggles.

Clara moved to Sun City Center, FL in 1998, where she made many dear friends and enjoyed an active life of tennis, dancing, long walks, time at the beach, and entertaining.

Clara was predeceased by her husband, Tony, parents, sister Leonor, and Hugo, her twin brother. Clara is survived by her son, Dean and daughter-in-law Teresa (Terri), of Petersburg, VA; daughter, Michelle and son-in-law Merle Cardulla Heath, of Rochester, NY; and granddaughters, Adrienne, Natalie, and Melanie Cardulla. Clara is also survived by her sister, Nelly Simbaqueba, brother, Luis Barrera Téllez, nieces, Sandra (Juan Carlos), and Diana, and nephews, Jorge, Pablo and Sergio of Bogotá Colombia; in-laws: Al and Janet Cardulla, Marylou and Jim Scherbyn, Joanne Heck, and Richard Cardulla; nieces Donna, Roxanne, Christine and Jackie (Brian); and dear friends: Clara Moreno, Andrea Fineman, Angela Amato, Judi Salsburg Taylor, Julie and Dave Boland, Fanny and Jairo Rojas and, Mary and Angelo Lopez.

Clara lived her life with grace, dignity, compassion, a generous nature, and incredible strength. Clara took joy in being outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of nature and animals, especially cats. Clara will be deeply missed by many.

In keeping with Clara’s wishes, services will be private. If you would like to make a memorial donation in Clara’s honor, please consider one of the following charities which Clara supported: Saint Jude Children's Hospital or Janine The Bean Pet Rescue. Links to both are available below.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alvahhalloranandson.com for the Cardulla family.